Rf transmitter and integrated circuit with programmable filter module and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A radio frequency (RF) transmitter includes a transmitter processing module that generates a processed signal based on outbound data, wherein the processed signal includes one of: a baseband signal and a low intermediate frequency signal. An up-conversion module up-converts the processed signal to generate an up-converted signal. A programmable filter module generates a plurality of delayed signals from the up-converted signal and that generates a filtered up-converted signal by combining the up-converted signal and the plurality of delayed signals, wherein a delayed signal of the plurality of delayed signals is scaled based on one of a plurality of coefficients, wherein the plurality of coefficients are selected based on a control signal. A radio transmitter front-end generates a transmit signal based on the filtered up-converted signal. A processing module generates the control signal to attenuate at least RF spur of the up-converted signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to the following applications: RFPOLAR TRANSMITTER AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH PROGRAMMABLE BASEBANDFILTERING AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No. ______, filedon ______;

RF TRANSMITTER AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH PROGRAMMABLE BASEBANDFILTERING AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No. ______, filedon ______;

RF POLAR TRANSMITTER AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH PROGRAMMABLE FILTERMODULE AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having Ser. No. ______, filed on______.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mobile communication devices andmore particularly to RF transmitter circuits used therewith.

2. Description of Related Art

Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire linecommunications between wireless and/or wire line communication devices.Such communication systems range from national and/or internationalcellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-homewireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, andhence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards.For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordancewith one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11,Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, globalsystem for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access(CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS),multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), radio frequencyidentification (RFID), and/or variations thereof.

Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wirelesscommunication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio,personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptopcomputer, home entertainment equipment, RFID reader, RFID tag, et ceteracommunicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communicationdevices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-pointcommunications), the participating wireless communication devices tunetheir receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g.,one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wirelesscommunication system or a particular RF frequency for some systems) andcommunicate over that channel(s). For indirect wireless communications,each wireless communication device communicates directly with anassociated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or anassociated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wirelessnetwork) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connectionbetween the wireless communication devices, the associated base stationsand/or associated access points communicate with each other directly,via a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, viathe Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.

For each wireless communication device to participate in wirelesscommunications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiverand transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g.,a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communicationnetworks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the transmitter includes a datamodulation stage, one or more intermediate frequency stages, and a poweramplifier. The data modulation stage converts raw data into basebandsignals in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard.The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signalswith one or more local oscillations to produce RF signals. The poweramplifier amplifies the RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.

As is also known, the receiver is coupled to the antenna through anantenna interface and includes a low noise amplifier, one or moreintermediate frequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recoverystage. The low noise amplifier (LNA) receives inbound RF signals via theantenna and amplifies then. The one or more intermediate frequencystages mix the amplified RF signals with one or more local oscillationsto convert the amplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediatefrequency (IF) signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband signalsor the IF signals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to producefiltered signals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from thefiltered signals in accordance with the particular wirelesscommunication standard.

RF transmitters can generate polar coordinate transmissions that aresimultaneously amplitude modulated and phase modulated to carry moredata over a single transmitted signal. The can be performed in twophases with phase modulation occurring first in a phase locked loop andamplitude modulation being induced on the phase modulated signal by thepower amplifier. While a flexible approach, the power amplifier mustrespond to a wide range of possible modulating signals. Furtherlimitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approacheswill become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a delay modulein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a delaymodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a delaymodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a delaymodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a filter modulein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a filtermodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a filtermodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a filtermodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a filtermodule in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radiotransmitter front-end in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a radiotransmitter front-end in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a graphical representation of a frequency spectrum inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a graphical representation of another frequency spectrum inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 27 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention. In particular acommunication system is shown that includes a communication device 10that communicates real-time data 24 and non-real-time data 26 wirelesslywith one or more other devices such as base station 18, non-real-timedevice 20, real-time device 22, and non-real-time and/or real-timedevice 25. In addition, communication device 10 can also optionallycommunicate over a wireline connection with non-real-time device 12,real-time device 14 and non-real-time and/or real-time device 16.

In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection 28 canbe a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or morestandard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 488, IEEE 1394 (Firewire),Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or paralleladvanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wiredcommunication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wirelessconnection can communicate in accordance with a wireless networkprotocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, orother wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voiceprotocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution(EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wirelessprotocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard orproprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can includeseparate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrierfrequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a singlefrequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionallycommunicate data to and from the communication device 10.

Communication device 10 can be a mobile phone such as a cellulartelephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, personalcomputer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or morefunctions that include communication of voice and/or data via wirelineconnection 28 and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodimentof the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices 12, 1416, 18, 20, 22 and 25 can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobilephones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wirelesslocal area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners,digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that eitherproduce, process or use audio, video signals or other data orcommunications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applicationsthat include voice communications such as standard telephonyapplications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, localgaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging,web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/videodownloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications suchas databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation andprocessing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction withthese applications, the real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, videoand multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. Thenon-real-time data 24 includes text messaging, email, web browsing, fileuploading and downloading, etc.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 10includes an integrated circuit, such as a combined voice, data and RFintegrated circuit that includes one or more features or functions ofthe present invention. Such integrated circuits shall be described ingreater detail in association with FIGS. 3-27 that follow.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of anothercommunication system in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 2 presents a communication system that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 1 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Communication device 30 is similar to communication device 10and is capable of any of the applications, functions and featuresattributed to communication device 10, as discussed in conjunction withFIG. 1. However, communication device 30 includes two separate wirelesstransceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or morewireless communication protocols with data device 32 and/or data basestation 34 via RF data 40 and voice base station 36 and/or voice device38 via RF voice signals 42.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integratedcircuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a voicedata RF integrated circuit (IC) 50 is shown that implementscommunication device 10 in conjunction with microphone 60,keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54, speaker 62, display 56, camera 76,antenna interface 52 and wireline port 64. In addition, voice data RF IC50 includes a transceiver 73 with RF and baseband modules for formattingand modulating data and voice signals into RF real-time data 26 andnon-real-time data 24 and transmitting this data via an antennainterface 72 and an antenna, and for receiving RF data and RF voicesignals via the antenna. Further, voice data RF IC 50 includes aninput/output module 71 with appropriate encoders and decoders forcommunicating via the wireline connection 28 via wireline port 64, anoptional memory interface for communicating with off-chip memory 54, acodec for encoding voice signals from microphone 60 into digital voicesignals, a keypad/keyboard interface for generating data fromkeypad/keyboard 58 in response to the actions of a user, a displaydriver for driving display 56, such as by rendering a color videosignal, text, graphics, or other display data, and an audio driver suchas an audio amplifier for driving speaker 62 and one or more otherinterfaces, such as for interfacing with the camera 76 or the otherperipheral devices.

Off-chip power management circuit 95 includes one or more DC-DCconverters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other powersupplies for supplying the voice data RF IC 50 and optionally the othercomponents of communication device 10 and/or its peripheral devices withsupply voltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) thatmay be required to power these devices. Off-chip power managementcircuit 95 can operate from one or more batteries, line power and/orfrom other power sources, not shown. In particular, off-chip powermanagement module can selectively supply power supply signals ofdifferent voltages, currents or current limits or with adjustablevoltages, currents or current limits in response to power mode signalsreceived from the voice data RF IC 50. Voice Data RF IC 50 optionallyincludes an on-chip power management circuit 95′ for replacing theoff-chip power management circuit 95.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the voice data RF IC 50 is asystem on a chip integrated circuit that includes at least oneprocessing device. Such a processing device, for instance, processingmodule 225, may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signalprocessor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmablegate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulatessignals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. Theassociated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memorydevices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the voice, data RF IC 50 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operationalinstructions for this circuitry is embedded with the circuitrycomprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry.

In operation, the voice data RF IC 50 executes operational instructionsthat implement one or more of the applications (real-time ornon-real-time) attributed to communication devices 10 and 30 asdiscussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, RF IC 50 includesspectrum control and/or filtration features in accordance with thepresent invention that will be discussed in greater detail inassociation with FIG. 5-27.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of anintegrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 4 presents a communication device 30 that includes manycommon elements of FIG. 3 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. Voice data RF IC 70 is similar to voice data RF IC 50 and iscapable of any of the applications, functions and features attributed tovoice data RF IC 50 as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3. However,voice data RF IC 70 includes two separate wireless transceivers 73 and75 for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or more wirelesscommunication protocols via RF data 40 and RF voice signals 42.

In operation, the voice data RF IC 70 executes operational instructionsthat implement one or more of the applications (real-time ornon-real-time) attributed to communication device 10 as discussed inconjunction with FIG. 1. Further, RF IC 70 includes spectrum controland/or filtration features in accordance with the present invention thatwill be discussed in greater detail in association with FIG. 5-27.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an RF transceiver 125, such astransceiver 73 or 75, which may be incorporated in communication devices10 and/or 30. The RF transceiver 125 includes an RF transmitter 129, anRF receiver 127 coupled to the processing module 225. The RF receiver127 includes an RF front end 140, a down conversion module 142, and areceiver processing module 144. The RF transmitter 129 includes atransmitter processing module 146, an up conversion module 148, a radiotransmitter front-end 150, and a programmable delay module 85 andcombining module 86 that operate to provide programmable spectrumcontrol of the transmit signal 155.

As shown, the transmitter is coupled to an antenna through poweramplifier module 180, off-chip antenna interface 171 and a diplexer(duplexer) 177, that couples the transmit signal 155 to the antenna toproduce outbound RF signal 170 and couples inbound RF signal 152 toproduce received signal 153. While a diplexer is shown, atransmit/receive switch could likewise be employed for the same purpose.While a single antenna is represented, the receiver and transmitter mayeach employ separate antennas or share a multiple antenna structure thatincludes two or more antennas. In another embodiment, the receiver andtransmitter may share a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antennastructure that includes a plurality of antennas. Each antenna may befixed, programmable, an antenna array or other antenna configuration.Accordingly, the antenna structure of the wireless transceiver couldalso depend on the particular standard(s) to which the wirelesstransceiver is compliant and the applications thereof.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 from a hostdevice or other source via the transmitter processing module 146. Thetransmitter processing module 146 processes the outbound data 162 inaccordance with a particular wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) to produce a processedsignal such as baseband or low intermediate frequency (IF) transmit (TX)signals 164. The baseband or low IF TX signals 164 may be digitalbaseband signals (e.g., have a zero IF) or digital low IF signals, wherethe low IF typically will be in a frequency range of one hundredkilohertz to a few megahertz.

Note that the processing performed by the transmitter processing module146 can include, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding,puncturing, mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IFconversion. Further note that the transmitter processing module 146 maybe implemented using a shared processing device, individual processingdevices, or a plurality of processing devices and may further includememory. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor,micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, centralprocessing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logicdevice, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/ordigital) based on operational instructions. The memory may be a singlememory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memory device maybe a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory,non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/orany device that stores digital information. Note that when theprocessing module 146 implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

Programmable delay module 85 generates a plurality of delayed signals165 from the baseband or low IF TX signals 164, wherein each delayedsignal is scaled based on one of a plurality of coefficients, whereinthe plurality of coefficients are selected based on a control signal141.

The up conversion module 148 can include a digital-to-analog conversion(DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and an up-conversionsection. The DAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals 164from the digital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gainmodule filters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior toproviding it to an up-conversion section. The up-conversion sectionconverts the analog baseband or low IF signals into up converted signals166 based on a transmitter local oscillation 168. As discussed above,the up conversion module 148 phase, frequency or amplitude modulates anRF carrier frequency based on the processed signal, such as baseband orlow IF transmit signal 164 and the plurality of delayed signals togenerate a plurality of up-converted signals 166. In an embodiment ofthe present invention a mixer, phase locked loop circuit or otherphase/frequency modulator is used for this purpose. Up conversion module166 optionally includes a limiter circuit for leveling the amplitude ofits output signal.

Combining module 86 combines the plurality of up-converted signals togenerate a shaped-spectrum signal 168 via summing, subtraction or otherlinear combination. The radio transmitter front end 150 amplifies theshaped spectrum signal to produce transmit signal 155 and ultimatelyoutbound RF signal 170, which may be filtered by a transmitter filtermodule, if included. The antenna structure transmits the outbound RFsignals 170 to a targeted device such as a RF tag, base station, anaccess point and/or another wireless communication device via an antennainterface 171 coupled to an antenna that provides impedance matching andoptional lowpass, bandpass and/or notch filtration.

In operation, the scaling of the plurality delayed baseband or low IFtransmit signals is controlled by processing module 225. When theup-converted and scaled delayed signals 165 are combined by addition orsubtraction with the up-converted baseband or low-IF transmit signal164, the result is a shaped spectrum signal 168 that is, in effect, afinite impulse response (FIR) filtered RF signal. By controlling thescaling of the delayed signals 165 and/or the number of delayed signals165 via control signal 141, the processing module 225 can control one ormore spectrum parameters such as the order of filtration, filter typesand other roll-off parameters, filter cut-off frequencies. These filterparameters, when taken in combination with any optionally filtration orother spectral characteristics of the radio transmitter front-end 150can be used to control the spectral parameters of the transmit signal155 such as the center frequency, bandwidth, upper cut-off frequency,lower cut-off frequency, etc.

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 via the antenna andoff-chip antenna interface 171 that operates to process the inbound RFsignal 152 into received signal 153 for the receiver front-end 140. Ingeneral, antenna interface 171 provides impedance matching of antenna tothe RF front-end 140 and optional bandpass and/or notch filtration ofthe inbound RF signal 152.

The down conversion module 70 includes a mixing section, an analog todigital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/orgain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 intoa down converted signal 156 that is based on a receiver localoscillation 158, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADCmodule converts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digitalbaseband or low IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high passand/or low pass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to producea baseband or low IF signal 156. Note that the ordering of the ADCmodule and filtering and/or gain module may be switched, such that thefiltering and/or gain module is an analog module.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IFsignal 156 in accordance with a particular wireless communicationstandard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) toproduce inbound data 160. The processing performed by the receiverprocessing module 144 includes, but is not limited to, digitalintermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping,depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling. Note that the receiverprocessing modules 144 may be implemented using a shared processingdevice, individual processing devices, or a plurality of processingdevices and may further include memory. Such a processing device may bea microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memorymay be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the receiver processing module 144 implements one or more of itsfunctions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operationalinstructions is embedded with the circuitry comprising the statemachine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention. In particular, anRF transceiver 125′ is presented that includes many similar elementsdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 5 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this embodiment, up-conversion module 148′ simplygenerates an up-converted signal 166 based on the baseband or low IFsignal 164. A programmable filter module, such as FIR filter module 87,generates and scales a plurality of delayed signals from theup-converted signal 166 based on a plurality of coefficients andgenerates a filtered up-converted signal 167 by combining theup-converted signal 166 and the plurality of delayed signals. Theplurality of coefficients are selected based on a control signal 141generated by processing module 225 to attenuate at least one RF spur ofthe up-converted signal 167. Radio transmitter front-end 150 generatestransmit signal 155 based on the filtered up-converted signal 167 in asimilar fashion to radio transmitter front-end 150 of FIG. 5.

In operation, the processing module 225 generates one or more controlsignals 141 to control the order of the FIR filter of FIR filter module87 by controlling the number of delayed signals that are generated. Inan embodiment of the present invention, the control signal 141 isgenerated to select coefficients corresponding to a notch filterconfiguration having a notch frequency that coincides with the RF spurto be attenuated. Control signal 141 can optionally control additionalfilter parameters of the FIR filter module 87 such as the depth of thenotch, the filter quality, the filter type and/or other filterparameters based on the number of delayed signals and the particularvalues of the coefficients.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention. In particular, anRF transceiver 125″ is presented that includes many similar elementsdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 5 that are referred to by commonreference numerals. In this configuration however, the RF transmitter129″ produces a transmit signal 155 that includes a polar coordinatetransmission having a carrier wave that is amplitude modulated and phasemodulated by separate modulation signals. Transmitter processing module146′ converts outbound data 162 into separate amplitude and phase data.For example, transmitter processing module 146′ can generate processeddata such as the baseband or low IF transmit signal 164 with phasemodulation and a modulating signal 169 for amplitude modulation. In thisconfiguration, delay module 85, up-conversion module 148 and combiningmodule 86 operate to generate shaped spectrum signal 168 that is phasemodulated based on baseband or low IF signal 164.

Modulating signal 169 is optionally filtered by a programmable filersuch as FIR filter module 89 to generate a filtered modulating signal169′. Radio transmitter front-end 150′ includes a polar amplifier thatamplifies and amplitude modulates the shaped spectrum signal 168 by themodulating signal 169 or filtered modulating signal 169′. As in theembodiment of FIG. 5, processing module 225 can control the spectralparameters of shaped spectrum signal 168, and thus, the spectralparameters of transmit signal 155 based on the control of programmabledelay module 85.

When included, FIR filter module 89 generates and scales a plurality ofdelayed signals from the modulating signal 169 based on a plurality ofcoefficients that are selected based on the control signal 141. FIRfilter module 89 generates the filtered modulating signal 169′ bycombining the modulating signal 169 and the plurality of delayedsignals. Control signal 141 can select the coefficients and number ofdelayed signal to control the order of the filter, the filter type, oneor more cut-off frequencies and other filter parameters to furthercontrol the shape of the spectrum of the transmit signal 155.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RFtransceiver in accordance with the present invention. In particular, anRF transceiver 125″ is presented that includes many similar elementsdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 5, 6 and 7 that are referred to bycommon reference numerals. In this configuration however, the RFtransmitter 129″ produces a transmit signal 155 that includes a polarcoordinate transmission having a carrier wave that is amplitudemodulated and phase modulated by separate modulation signals. In thisconfiguration, up-conversion module 148′ and FIR filter module 87operate to generate filtered up-converted signal 167 that is phasemodulated based on baseband or low IF signal 164. Radio transmitterfront-end 150′ includes a polar amplifier that amplifies and amplitudemodulates the filtered up-converted signal 167 by the modulating signal169 or filtered modulating signal 169′.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a delay modulein accordance with the present invention. In particular a programmabledelay module 85 is presented that includes n delay elements representedby their Z-transform representation of Z⁻¹. The delayed signals 165 aregenerated by scaling the first delayed signal by a coefficient h(1), asecond delayed signal by a coefficient h(2), etc. As shown with optionalcontrol module 197, the particular coefficients h(i) are set by controlmodule 197 in response to control signal 141. In an alternativeconfiguration, control module 197 can be omitted when control signal 141includes the particular coefficients h(i). It should be noted that theone or more of the coefficients h(i) can be zero or substantially zero.The order of the filter can be reduced, and thus the number of delayedsignals can be reduced by setting the higher-order coefficients equal tozero, however, other coefficients can be zero or substantially zerobased on the particular filter that is implemented. In an alternativeconfiguration the value of n can be set by the control signal 141.

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 5, the delay module 85 and thecombining module 86 operate to form a programmable RF FIR filter. Inoperation, processing module 225 includes a look-up table, algorithm,application or utility that controls the selection of the coefficientsh(i) either directly or through control module 197 to generate a filterconfiguration corresponding to the desired spectral parameters of shapedspectrum signal 168 and/or transmit signal 155.

Delay module 85 can be implemented using a shared processing device,individual processing devices, or a plurality of processing devices andmay further include memory. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memorymay be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the delay module 85 implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a delaymodule in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, thebaseband or low IF signal 164 is a mixed signal with in-phase (I) andquadrature-phase (Q) components. In this configuration, delay module 85includes delay module 85′ that generates in-phase delayed signals anddelay module 85″ that generates quadrature-phase delayed signals.Up-conversion module 148 further operates on a mixed-signal basis togenerate up-converted signals 166.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic block diagrams of delay modules 85′ and85″ in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, delay modules 85′ and 85″ operate in a similar fashion todelay module 85 presented in conjunction with FIG. 9 to generate I-phasedelayed signals 165′ and Q-phase delayed signals 165″ based on,respectively, I-Phase baseband or low IF signal 164′ and Q-Phasebaseband or low IF signal 164″.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a filter modulein accordance with the present invention. In particular a programmableFIR filter module 87 is presented that includes n delay elementsrepresented by their Z-transform representation of Z⁻¹. The filteredup-converted signal 167 is generated by scaling the first delayed signalby a coefficient h(1), a second delayed signal by a coefficient h(2),etc. As shown with optional control module 198, the particularcoefficients h(i) are set by control module 198 in response to controlsignal 141. In an alternative configuration, control module 198 can beomitted when control signal 141 includes the particular coefficientsh(i). It should be noted that the one or more of the coefficients h(i)can be zero or substantially zero. The order of the filter can bereduced, and thus the number of delayed signals can be reduced bysetting the higher-order coefficients equal to zero, however, othercoefficients can be zero or substantially zero based on the particularfilter that is implemented. In an alternative configuration the value ofn can be set by the control signal 141.

In operation, processing module 225 includes a look-up table, algorithm,application or utility that controls the selection of the coefficientsh(i) either directly or through control module 198 to generate a filterconfiguration corresponding to the desired spectral parameters ofup-converted signal 167 and/or transmit signal 155. Such control caninclude generating a notch filter having a controllable depth, qualityand notch frequency to attenuate an undesirable RF spur.

FIR filter module 87 can be implemented using a shared processingdevice, individual processing devices, or a plurality of processingdevices and may further include memory. Such a processing device may bea microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memorymay be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the FIR filter module 87 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a filtermodule in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, theup-converted signal 166 is a mixed signal with in-phase (I) andquadrature-phase (Q) components. In this configuration, FIR filtermodule 87 includes FIR filter module 87′ that generates in-phasefiltered up-converted signals and FIR filter module 87″ that generatesquadrature-phase up-converted signals.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic block diagrams of FIR filter modules 87′and 87″ in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, FIR filter modules 87′ and 87″ operate in a similar fashionto FIR filter module 87 presented in conjunction with FIG. 13 togenerate I-phase filtered up-converted signals 167′ and Q-phase filteredup-converted signals 167″ based on, respectively, I-Phase up-convertedsignal 166′ and Q-Phase up-converted signal 166″.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a filtermodule in accordance with the present invention. In particular aprogrammable FIR filter module 89 is presented that includes n delayelements represented by their Z-transform representation of Z⁻¹. Thefiltered modulating signal 169′ is generated based on modulating signal168 and n delayed versions of modulating signal 169. The modulatingsignal 169 is scaled by a coefficient h(0), the first delayed signal isscaled by a coefficient h(1), the second delayed signal is scaled by acoefficient h(2), etc. As shown with optional control module 199, theparticular coefficients h(i) are set by control module 199 in responseto control signal 141. In an alternative configuration, control module199 can be omitted when control signal 141 includes the particularcoefficients h(i). It should be noted that the one or more of thecoefficients h(i) can be zero or substantially zero. The order of thefilter can be reduced, and thus the number of delayed signals can bereduced by setting the higher-order coefficients equal to zero, however,other coefficients can be zero or substantially zero based on theparticular filter that is implemented. In an alternative configurationthe value of n can be set by the control signal 141.

In operation, processing module 225 includes a look-up table, algorithm,application or utility that controls the selection of the coefficientsh(i) either directly or through control module 199 to generate a filterconfiguration corresponding to the desired spectral parameters offiltered modulating signal 169′ and/or transmit signal 155.

FIR filter module 89 can be implemented using a shared processingdevice, individual processing devices, or a plurality of processingdevices and may further include memory. Such a processing device may bea microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The memorymay be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note thatwhen the FIR filter module 89 implements one or more of its functionsvia a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory storing the corresponding operational instructionsis embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radiotransmitter front-end in accordance with the present invention. In thisembodiment, radio transmitter front-end 150 is implemented with a polaramplifier 190 that generates transmit signal 155 by amplifying andamplitude modulating shaped spectrum signal 168 based on eithermodulating signal 169 or filtered modulating signal 169′. Polaramplifier 190 can include one or more stages including optionalpreamplifiers, power amplifiers or drivers along with at least one stagethat amplitude modulates the signal by the modulating signal 169 orfiltered modulating signal 169′ via mixing, multiplying, squaring, etc.

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a radiotransmitter front-end in accordance with the present invention. In thisembodiment, radio transmitter front-end 150 is implemented with a polaramplifier 190 that generates transmit signal 155 by amplifying andamplitude modulating filtered up-converted signal 167 based on eithermodulating signal 169 or filtered modulating signal 169′. AS discussedin conjunction with FIG. 18, Polar amplifier 190 can include one or morestages including optional preamplifiers, power amplifiers or driversalong with at least one stage that amplitude modulates the signal by themodulating signal 169 or filtered modulating signal 169′ via mixing,multiplying, squaring, etc.

FIG. 20 is a graphical representation of a frequency spectrum inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,alternative spectral shapes are shown for a lowpass filter and abandpass filter with varying filter roll-off that can be implementedwith FIR filter 89 and the FIR filtering implemented by the delay module85 in conjunction with combining module 86. As will be understood by oneskilled in the art when presented the disclosure herein, the cut-offfrequencies F_(c1) and/or F_(c2), the center frequency F_(c), thebandwidth, gain, filter type, filter order and roll-off can each becontrolled based on the number of delay elements employed and theselection of coefficients h(i), h′(i), and h″(i).

FIG. 21 is a graphical representation of another frequency spectrum inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular,alternative spectrum shapes of a notch filter that can be implemented byFIR filter module 87 is shown. As will be understood by one skilled inthe art when presented the disclosure herein, the notch frequenciesF_(n), the quality, notch depth, filter type, and filter order can eachbe controlled based on the number of delay elements employed and theselection of coefficients h(i), h′(i), and h″(i).

FIG. 22 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-21. In step 400, a processed signal isgenerated based on outbound data, wherein the processed signal includesone of: a baseband signal and a low intermediate frequency signal. Instep 402, the processed signal is up-converted to generate anup-converted signal. In step 404, a plurality of delayed signals aregenerated from the up-converted signal wherein a delayed signal of theplurality of delayed signals is scaled based on one of a plurality ofcoefficients, wherein the plurality of coefficients are selected basedon a control signal. In step 406, a filtered up-converted signal isgenerated by combining the up-converted signal and the plurality ofdelayed signals. In step 408, the control signal is generated toattenuate at least RF spur of the up-converted signal. In step 410, atransmit signal is generated based on the filtered up-converted signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 406 generates a finiteimpulse response filtered up-converted signal such as a notch filteredup-converted signal having a programmable notch frequency. Step 404 caninclude adjusting a number of the plurality of delayed signals based onthe control signal, selecting the plurality of coefficients based on thecontrol signal. The control signal can include selected values of theplurality of coefficients. The up-converted signal can include anin-phase component and a quadrature-phase component and wherein theplurality of delayed signals includes a plurality of in-phase delayedsignals and a plurality of quadrature-phase delayed signals.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-22. In step 420, a processed signal and amodulating signal are generated based on outbound data, wherein theprocessed signal includes one of: a baseband signal and a lowintermediate frequency signal. In step 422, a first plurality of delayedsignals is generated from the processed signal, wherein a delayed signalof the first plurality of delayed signals is scaled based on one of afirst plurality of coefficients, wherein the first plurality ofcoefficients are selected based on a control signal. In step 424, theprocessed signal and the first plurality of delayed signals areup-converted to generate a plurality of up-converted signals. In step426, the plurality of up-converted signals are combined to generate ashaped-spectrum signal. In step 428, a transmit signal is generated byamplifying and amplitude modulating the shaped-spectrum signal based onthe modulating signal. In step 430, the control signal is generated tocontrol a spectrum parameter of the transmit signal.

The spectrum parameter can includes a bandwidth, a center frequency, anupper cut-off frequency and/or a lower cut-off frequency. Step 422 caninclude adjusting a number of the first plurality of delayed signalsbased on the control signal, selecting the first plurality ofcoefficients based on the control signal. The control signal can includeselected values of the first plurality of coefficients. The processedsignal can include an in-phase component and a quadrature-phasecomponent and wherein the first plurality of delayed signals includes aplurality of in-phase delayed signals and a plurality ofquadrature-phase delayed signals.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with the method of FIG. 23. In step 435, a second pluralityof delayed signals is generated from the modulating signal. In step 437,a filtered modulating signal is generated by combining the modulatingsignal and the second plurality of delayed signals, wherein each of thesecond plurality of delayed signals is scaled based on one of a secondplurality of coefficients, wherein the second plurality of coefficientsare selected based on the control signal, and wherein the transmitsignal is generated in step 428 by amplitude modulating theshaped-spectrum signal based on the filtered modulating signal.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-24. In step 440, a processed signal isgenerated based on outbound data, wherein the processed signal includesone of: a baseband signal and a low intermediate frequency signal. Instep 442, a plurality of delayed signals are generated from theprocessed signal, wherein each delayed signal is scaled based on one ofa plurality of coefficients, wherein the plurality of coefficients areselected based on a control signal. In step 444, the processed signaland the plurality of delayed signals are up-converted to generate aplurality of up-converted signals. In step 446, the plurality ofup-converted signals is combined to generate a shaped-spectrum signal.In step 448, a transmit signal is generated based on the shaped-spectrumsignal. In step 450, the control signal is generated to control aspectrum parameter of the transmit signal.

The spectrum parameter can include a bandwidth, a center frequency, anupper cut-off frequency and/or a lower cut-off frequency. Step 442 caninclude adjusting a number of the plurality of delays based on thecontrol signal and/or selecting the plurality of coefficients based onthe control signal. The control signal can include selected values ofthe plurality of coefficients. The processed signal can include anin-phase component and a quadrature-phase component and wherein theplurality of delayed signals includes a plurality of in-phase delayedsignals and a plurality of quadrature-phase delayed signals.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with one or more of the functions and features described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-25. In step 460, a processed signal isgenerated based on outbound data, wherein the processed signal includesone of: a baseband signal and a low intermediate frequency signal. Instep 462, the processed signal is up-converted to generate anup-converted signal. In step 464, a first plurality of delayed signalsis generated from the up-converted signal wherein a delayed signal ofthe first plurality of delayed signals is scaled based on one of a firstplurality of coefficients, wherein the first plurality of coefficientsare selected based on a control signal. In step 466, a filteredup-converted signal is generated by combining the up-converted signaland the first plurality of delayed signals. In step 468, the controlsignal is generated to attenuate at least one RF spur of theup-converted signal. In step 470, a transmit signal is generated byamplifying and amplitude modulating filtered up-converted signal basedon the modulating signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 466 generates a finiteimpulse response filtered up-converted signal, such as a notch filteredup-converted signal having a programmable notch frequency. Step 464 caninclude adjusting a number of the first plurality of delayed signalsbased on the control signal and/or selecting the first plurality ofcoefficients based on the control signal. The control signal can includeselected values of the first plurality of coefficients. The up-convertedsignal can include an in-phase component and a quadrature-phasecomponent and wherein the first plurality of delayed signals includes aplurality of in-phase delayed signals and a plurality ofquadrature-phase delayed signals.

FIG. 27 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance withthe present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use inconjunction with the method of FIG. 26. In step 500, a second pluralityof delayed signals is generated from the modulating signal. In step 502,a filtered modulating signal is generated by combining the modulatingsignal and the second plurality of delayed signals, wherein each of thesecond plurality of delayed signals is scaled based on one of a secondplurality of coefficients, wherein the second plurality of coefficientsare selected based on the control signal, and wherein the transmitsignal is generated in step 470 by amplitude modulating the filteredup-converted signal based on the filtered modulating signal.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, theintervening item does not modify the information of a signal but mayadjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As mayfurther be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element iscoupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirectcoupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As mayeven further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that anitem includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s),etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may furtherinclude inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may stillfurther be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes directand/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “comparesfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1. While the term phase modulationis used herein it includes the equivalent frequency modulation.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that thefunctional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules andcomponents herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discretecomponents, application specific integrated circuits, processorsexecuting appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

1. A radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit comprising: an RF receiverthat generates inbound data based on an inbound RF signal; a RFtransmitter that includes: a transmitter processing module thatgenerates a processed signal based on outbound data, wherein theprocessed signal includes one of: a baseband signal and a lowintermediate frequency signal; an up-conversion module, coupled to thetransmitter processing module, that up-converts the processed signal togenerate an up-converted signal; a programmable filter module, coupledto the up-conversion module, that generates a plurality of delayedsignals from the up-converted signal and that generates a filteredup-converted signal by combining the up-converted signal and theplurality of delayed signals, wherein a delayed signal of the pluralityof delayed signals is scaled based on one of a plurality ofcoefficients, wherein the plurality of coefficients are selected basedon a control signal; a radio transmitter front-end, coupled to theprogrammable filter module, that generates a transmit signal based onthe filtered up-converted signal; and a processing module, coupled tothe programmable filter module, that generates the control signal toattenuate at least RF spur of the up-converted signal.
 2. The RFintegrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the programmable filter moduleincludes a finite impulse response filter.
 3. The RF integrated circuitof claim 1 wherein the programmable filter module includes a notchfilter having a programmable notch frequency.
 4. The RF integratedcircuit of claim 1 wherein the programmable filter module includes acontrol module that adjusts a number of the plurality of delayed signalsbased on the control signal.
 5. The RF integrated circuit of claim 1wherein the programmable filter module includes a control module thatselects the plurality of coefficients based on the control signal. 6.The RF integrated circuit of claim 1 wherein the control signal includesselected values of the plurality of coefficients.
 7. The RF integratedcircuit of claim 1 wherein the up-converted signal includes an in-phasecomponent and a quadrature-phase component and wherein the plurality ofdelayed signals includes a plurality of in-phase delayed signals and aplurality of quadrature-phase delayed signals.
 8. A radio frequency (RF)transmitter comprising: a transmitter processing module that generates aprocessed signal based on outbound data, wherein the processed signalincludes one of: a baseband signal and a low intermediate frequencysignal; an up-conversion module, coupled to the transmitter processingmodule, that up-converts the processed signal to generate anup-converted signal; a programmable filter module, coupled to theup-conversion module, that generates a plurality of delayed signals fromthe up-converted signal and that generates a filtered up-convertedsignal by combining the up-converted signal and the plurality of delayedsignals, wherein a delayed signal of the plurality of delayed signals isscaled based on one of a plurality of coefficients, wherein theplurality of coefficients are selected based on a control signal; aradio transmitter front-end, coupled to the programmable filter module,that generates a transmit signal based on the filtered up-convertedsignal; and a processing module, coupled to the programmable filtermodule, that generates the control signal to attenuate at least RF spurof the up-converted signal.
 9. The RF transmitter circuit of claim 8wherein the programmable filter module includes a finite impulseresponse filter.
 10. The RF transmitter circuit of claim 8 wherein theprogrammable filter module includes a notch filter having a programmablenotch frequency.
 11. The RF transmitter circuit of claim 8 wherein theprogrammable filter module includes a control module that adjusts anumber of the plurality of delayed signals based on the control signal.12. The RF transmitter circuit of claim 8 wherein the programmablefilter module includes a control module that selects the plurality ofcoefficients based on the control signal.
 13. The RF transmitter circuitof claim 8 wherein the control signal includes selected values of theplurality of coefficients.
 14. The RF transmitter circuit of claim 8wherein the up-converted signal includes an in-phase component and aquadrature-phase component and wherein the plurality of delayed signalsincludes a plurality of in-phase delayed signals and a plurality ofquadrature-phase delayed signals.
 15. A method comprising: generating aprocessed signal based on outbound data, wherein the processed signalincludes one of: a baseband signal and a low intermediate frequencysignal; up-converting the processed signal to generate an up-convertedsignal; generating a plurality of delayed signals from the up-convertedsignal wherein a delayed signal of the plurality of delayed signals isscaled based on one of a plurality of coefficients, wherein theplurality of coefficients are selected based on a control signal;generating a filtered up-converted signal by combining the up-convertedsignal and the plurality of delayed signals; generating the controlsignal to attenuate at least RF spur of the up-converted signal; andgenerating a transmit signal based on the filtered up-converted signal.16. The method of claim 15 wherein generating the filtered up-convertedsignal generates a finite impulse response filtered up-converted signal.17. The method of claim 15 wherein generating the filtered up-convertedsignal generates a notch filtered up-converted signal having aprogrammable notch frequency.
 18. The method of claim 15 whereingenerating the plurality of delayed signals includes adjusting a numberof the plurality of delayed signals based on the control signal.
 19. Themethod of claim 15 wherein generating the plurality of delayed signalsincludes selecting the plurality of coefficients based on the controlsignal.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the control signal includesselected values of the plurality of coefficients.
 21. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the up-converted signal includes an in-phase componentand a quadrature-phase component and wherein the plurality of delayedsignals includes a plurality of in-phase delayed signals and a pluralityof quadrature-phase delayed signals.